Lakers' Blake to have abdominal surgery

El Segundo, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Monday
that guard Steve Blake will undergo surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle
and will likely be sidelined an additional 6-to-8 weeks.

The procedure will be performed by Dr. Craig Smith.

Blake has not played since Nov. 11 due to the injury. The veteran had been
serving as the team's starting point guard with two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash
still out indefinitely with a small non-displaced fracture in the head of
his fibula.

"It's a big concern to me," said Lakers' star Kobe Bryant on Blake's status.
"Steve and I have always played well together. We're going to miss him a lot."

In seven games prior to the injury, Blake averaged 5.1 points, 3.4 assists and
1.3 steals. The 32-year-old owns career averages of 6.9 points and 3.9 assists
over 10 NBA seasons, the last three of which have come with the Lakers.

Second-year pro Darius Morris has been starting at the point for Los Angeles
and is expected to remain in that role until Nash returns.